Performance Evaluation of 2G and 3G Networks in The City of Baghdad

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Performance Evaluation of 2G and 3G Networks in the City of Baghdad

To cite this article: Dina Jamal Jabbar et al 2020 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 745 012050
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The Fourth Postgraduate Engineering Conference IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 745 (2020) 012050 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/745/1/012050
Performance Evaluation of 2G and 3G Networks in the City

of Baghdad
Dina Jamal Jabbar¹, Dr.Aseel H. Al-Nakkash¹ and Shatha Kadhim Al_hummadi²
¹Department of Computer Engineering Techniques, Electrical Engineering Technical College,

Middle Technical University, Baghdad, Iraq.
² Ministry of Science and Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.
Abstract:
Communication networks have evolved dramatically in recent years and for a perfect
network, there are several factors to focus on to get the perfect coverage and ideal network. Although
the network has been installed, the mobile operators' company keeps reconfiguring the network
parameters to achieve the best performance. Even so, some network parameters can't be modified
(tower length, tower position, etc) but other parameters can always be modified due to results of site
survey. Also, ICS Telecom was employed to analyze the network performance in terms of coverage and
interference due to different values of power and antenna tilt. In this paper, studied the effect of the
antenna tilt on the coverage and amount of power from BS to the user in a particular area in Baghdad
is studied and it is found that the change in the inclination angle and power have a significant impact
on the solutions of the problem of coverage and interference.
A comparison field measurement data and simulation data in terms of RSS results in acceptable value
equals to 3.24 and 7.45 for 3G and 2G respectively.
The performance of the adopted networks is analyses after collecting the data of more than 200 points
via two methods: experimentally via drive test and simulation-based on ICS telecom software.
Keywords— ICS Telecom, Tilt, 2G, 3G.
1. Introduction
The world is quickly turning into a world village and a necessary tool for this method is that
the communication of that telecommunication may be a key player and certainly, the great
development in communication is a significant driver of any economy.
Mobile network operators aim to introduce the best mobile services to the customers to prove
themselves in the market among competitors, hence they work continuously on achieving the best
performance materialized by the best coverage.
The main aim of coverage planning is to estimate the coverage distance of a BS with parameter settings
derived from actual cell boundary coverage requirements sequentially to meet network size
requirements, the best coverage is determined by many factors including the network configuration
parameters.
Developed first generation (1G) wireless communications systems that were foremost focused on voice
communication services, to second-generation systems (2G) primarily focused on limited data services,
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voice services, to third-generation (3G) systems that we're dealing with multimedia applications and
internet connectivity [1].
In this paper, the analyses and modeling of the impact of the antenna tilt and power in the literature will
be introduced as below: In [2] those antenna parameters which have a significant impact on capacity
and coverage of long-term-evolution (LTE) networks.
Therefore, the adjustment of the tilt of the antenna a promising approaches to increase the capacity and
coverage.
The author in [3] formulate adaptation of antenna tilt angle as a utility fair optimization task, on the
cellular network in Dublin, Ireland, and is found to yield considerable performance gains.
The authors in [4],[5] studied The analysis and modeling of the impact of the antenna tilt angle on cell
performance It is shown that the incorporation of antenna tilt at an appropriate angle can provide better
coverage probability and the average rate as compared to that of the omnidirectional antenna deployed
system.
The author in [6] studied the impact of antenna height, tilt and power on network coverage and system
capacity, and it was found the best coverage is obtained at 38m height, 46dB power, and 2° tilt.
On the other hand, the authors in [7], [8], and [9] have realized that a practical antenna can target its
antenna beam towards a given direction via down tilt in the vertical domain, which may be exploited to
improve the network performance.
Network planning is an analytical and practical approach implemented through a complex procedure to
achieve the main objective, where the signal strength and the antenna inclination are the most
influential factors affecting network coverage.
In this work, a real network is adopted to analyze its performance based on both practical and
simulation tools.
Practically a drive test was conducted to collect data from 30 BS of the case in 2G cells and 33 BS in
3G cases.
Then the collected data was employed to simulate the network via ICS Telecom, after that, the network
performance is assessed due to different parameter values.
The rest of this paper is organized as; section two will introduce theoretical aspects, material and
methods will be discussed in section three. Results will be discussed in section four and finally the
main concluded points will be illustrated in section five.
2. Theoretical Aspect
2.1. Cellular Network
The cellular network is a communication network wherever the last link is wireless. The network is
distributed over the area of land, called (cells), each served by a minimum one fixed-location
transceiver, but more normally, 3 cell sites or base transceiver stations. These base stations provide the
cell with the network coverage which can be used for transmission of data, voice, and other kinds of
content. Cellular networks like 2 Generation, initially introduced in 1992, is that the initial to use the
digital encryption of conversations, it's the first to offer SMS text messaging and data services [1].
As for the Three Generation networks providing faster data transfer rates and are the first to enable
video call. This makes them particularly suitable for use in modern smartphones, which require a
constant high speed internet connection for several of their applications.
2.2. Network Planning

The network planning is a complicated process consisting of several phases. The ultimate target for the
network planning process is to define the network design, which is then built as a cellular network. The
difficulty in network planning is to combine all of the requirements in an optimal way and to design an
economical network. The first step in network planning is it provides the determine the suitable
propagation model thus satisfy the network with the real adopted environment. There are 2ways in
which radio planners can use propagation models. They can either create their own propagation
models for different areas in a cellular network, or the radio planners can use the existing standard
propagation models. The usage of the standard models is economical from the time and money
perspective. The empirical models use Existing equations obtained from the results of several
measurement efforts, such as the Cost 231 Hata Model, which is exploited in this work to simulate
signal propagation in the adopted case study.
2
P (dB)  46.3  33.9 log (h )  a(h )  [44.9  6.55 log (h )] log (d )  C          (1)
L 10 b m 10 b 10 m
2
a(h )  3.2[log(11.75h )]  4.97              (2)
m m
Cm=0 dB for suburban areas
Cm=3 dB for urban areas
Where PL is the path loss, fc,hb,hm and 𝑑 ,is the carrier frequency in (MHz), the mobile station antenna
height in (m), the base station antenna height in (m), the distance between base station and the mobile
station in (Km) respectively[10].
2.3. Network Performance
Network performance refers to measures of service quality of a network. There are several
different ways to measure the performance of a network, as each network is different in design and
nature. One of for most vital measures of network performance is network coverage and interference.
The receiver sensitivity plays an important it governs the coverage area limitation of the cell,
determines the RSS at the receiver in a telecommunication system by link budget.
It accumulates all the gains and losses during the signal propagation through the medium in order to
calculate the signal attenuation.
The received power (𝑃𝑟 ) is given by:[11]
𝑃𝑟 = 𝑃𝑡 + 𝐺𝑡 + 𝐺𝑟 − 𝐿𝑡 − 𝐿𝑟 − PL (3)
Represent 𝑃𝑡 the transmitted power (dB), Gt is is the transmitter antenna gain (dB), 𝐺𝑟 is the receiver
antenna gain (dB), 𝐿𝑡 and 𝐿𝑟 are the cable and other losses on the transmitter and receiver side (dB)
respectively, PL is the path loss (dB).
2.4. Parameters that Affect the Performance
There are several parameters that affect network performance. Some cannot be changed if the
network already exists, such as tower height or location. But there are some parameters that we can
change by affecting the performance of the network such as the antenna tilt and the transmitted power
the two most important performance tuning parameters of a cellular network since are have a strong
impact on the inter-site interference level in the system [3].
3. Materials and methods
There are 3 major cellular network operators in Iraq; Asiacell, Zain, and korek. In this work, the
cellular network of Asciacell was adopted for the research's analyses. The area was selected in
Baghdad as cases studies; Al-Amreya quartier at the west of Baghdad.
It may also be noted that, the selected network is currently employing the Enhanced Data Rates of
GSM Evolution (EDGE). Even EDGE is considered as the 2.9G, it will be referred to it as 2G network
in this work. In addition to 2G, this operator company is also employing 3G services materialized by
the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), which in some sites overlaid the 2G
sharing the same infrastructure.
Data were collected from 200 test points in the adopted area from 30 base stations for 2G cells, and 33
base stations for 3G cells.
The author used the capabilities of modern Android software in many operating the modern available
applications based on smartphones for signal quality measurements. (Cell Coverage Map), (Cell Tower
3
Locator), and (Network Cell Info Lite) software are used to collect data in terms of a signal received
power for 2Generation and 3Generation as shown in figure (1).
Fig1: the software used to collect data in terms of signal received power for 2G and 3G cell
4. Results and Discussion
4.1. Network performance analysis results and discussion:
In this work, the network performance analyses were conducted via simulation and test drive.
Moreover, the role of the network significant parameters are investigated and discussed as will be
explained through next sections.
Coverage and interference are chosen as the most powerful metric to evaluate network performance.
Interference is materialized by (carrier to interference) C/I. The minimum C/I ratios show within each
element respective best server coverage. The wanted elements are the active elements and are facing
the deactivated elements considered interferers (unwanted).At each point of the coverage, the following
calculation is done: wanted field strength - unwanted field strength. All frequency combinations are
treated. Protected zones and unprotected zones are shown in accordance to the C/I legend [12].
4.1.1. Simulation and analyses:
ICS telecom program as shown in figure (2) is used to calculate the coverage and interference between
the towers.
4
Fig(2) ICS Telecom program interface
10 towers are deployed in real locations 2G and each tower contains 3 sectors, as well as
more than 200 test points, are published by ICS Telecom program, as shown in figure (3):
Fig(3) coverage area(2g)
11towers are deployed in real locations 3G and each tower contains 3 sectors, as well as more than 200
test points, are published by ICS Telecom program, as shown in figure (4(:
5
Fig(4) coverage area(3G)
The cell coverage is governed by the power received at the cell edge. Accordingly, the percentage of
coverage versus received power of the 2G and 3G networks are compared for the city of Amreya in
,Baghdad as shown in figure (5) and (6)
It can be seen that for a 2G cell, the highest percentage network coverage value is 32.8% of the total
area, for the received power between (-51_ -60) dBm, while in the 3G cell for this same received power
the coverage percentage is 9.2% of the total area, which represents the Three Generation cell center.
The lowest coverage percentage the area of the 2G cell is 6.3% in which the power received between (-
71_-80) dB, and represent the 2G cell edge while in the 3G cell for this same received power represents
the highest network coverage value is 36.5% of the total area, while the lowest coverage area of the 3G
cell is 2. % of total area, for the received power less than (-91dBm).
6
.Fig(5) Simulation of coverage area for 2G network ( power=20w, Tilt=-10)
Coverage area in ICS(3G)

40 36.5053
35
29.2641
30
25 22.9359
20
15
9.2247
10
5 2.0701
0
(-51_-60)dBm (-61_-70)dBm (-71_-80)dBm (-81_-90)dBm (<-91)dBm
Fig(6) Simulation of coverage area for 3G network ( power=20w, Tilt=-10)
4.1.2. Drive test results:
More than 200 test points were determined which is sufficient to predict the coverage area of a base
station in all direction, the walking test and driving test were conducted to collect data for both 2G cell
and 3G cell as shown in Figure (7) and (8).
7
Fig(7) Drive test and walk test to collect data from 2G cell
Fig(8) Drive test and walk test to collect data from 3G cell
These test points have been clarified on Google Earth as depicted in figure (9) and (10).
Test points with different color indicate a range of receive power. The red color for both 2G, 3G
network reflects the maximum received power equals to (-54dBm).
At the cell edge, the minimum received power equals to (-75 dBm) and (-80 dBm) for 2G and 3G
respectively.
8
Fig(9) coverage area in Google earth (2G)
Fig(10) coverage area in Google earth (3G).

9
In this work, the deviation between the field measurement and the predicted data from the simulation
can be evaluated based on (Mean Absolute Error) MAE, which can be determined as below:
N
 ( Pmi  Psi )
i 1
MAE 
N
Where, 𝑃𝑚 and 𝑃𝑠 are the power measured and simulated respectively, 𝑁 is the data set
size.
Performing the comparison in terms of MAE is depicted in figure (11) It is obvious that is MAE equals
to 3.243 dB for 3G network. On the other side, the MAE equals to 7.453551913 dB for 2G network.
These results indicate a good correlation between the simulation results and practical results.
Mean absolute error

8 7.453551913
7
6
5
4 3G
3.243
3 2G
2
1
0
3G 2G
Fig(11) Mean absolute error between the field measurement and empirical model in (ICS)
On the other hand, the minimum C / I of 2G and 3G cells is illustrated in Figures (12) and (13)
respectively by using ICS Telecom.
10
Fig(12) C/I (2G)
Fig(13) C/I (3G)
When compared between 2G and 3G in terms of minimum C / I, it is obvious that 3G achieved the high
minimum C/I in the ranges of (16 dB to -44 dB). While for the 2G network, the minimum C/I range
between (3dB to -67dB).
11
C/I min
35
30
25
20
15
2G
3G 10
5
0
Fig(14) Comparison C/I between 2G and 3G cells
4.2. Parameters Effect on Network Performance:
Network performance is affected by many parameters.Therefore; network engineering must

accurately consider this parameter during network planning and even after its installation.
Some of these parameters are configured for one time such as tower height, others are kept tuning
continuously according to certain criteria in order to enhance the network performance. BS antenna
power and tilt are examples of such parameters, which have a significant effect on determining the cell
size and signal quality.
Fig (15) depicts the effect of antenna power and tilt on coverage as explained below:
 It can be seen that in the range of low received power (-71_-80) dBm the coverage in the
power 20w is higher than the 40w coverage ratio and increases as the antenna tilt decreases to
(T= -10°).
 Note that at the range of received power (-61_-70) dBm and (-51_-60) dBm, the coverage at
20w is higher than the coverage at 40w, but it decreases as the tilt increasing.
 In the range (-41_-50), we notice that the coverage at 40 w begins to increase compared to the
coverage at 20 w, where the maximum coverage is gained at tilt=-2. At tilt -4 to -6 both 20w,
40w have the same effect on the coverage. Finaly, as the tilt decreas from -8 to -10 the
coverage in 20w and 40 w is decreased.
 At the cell center (15-e), the high quality covered area (>-40 dBm) increased as the power
increased or as the tilt decreased. As a result, the largest covered area in this range can be
achieved at (p=40W and T=-10°).
12
Fig(15) (a, b, c, d, and e) : Percentage of Coverage for each range within a different power and tilt
Figure (16) depicts the relation between the interference in terms of minimum C/I and network
parameters (Power and Tilt). However the following points can be noticed:
 At the cell edge layer (-70dB_-56dB) the interference is reduced as the tilt increasing. As well
as the effect of higher power (40w) over comes the case of (20w) with the tilt approach -10.
The effect of (30w), (40w) are almost the same for the 3rd layer coverage area and for all tilts
values.
 At the cell center layers (6dB_-10dB), the less interference is achieved at tilt=-10. Moreover,
the effect of low power (20w) is significant over other power cases for all tilt values.
 The maximum (C/I min) is noticed with zero tilt value and for (20w) power case.
 The effect of all power cases are almost the same for the 3rd layer coverage area and for all
tilts values, while the effect of (30w) case is significant for the 4th layer.
13
Fig(16): Percentage of minimum C/I for each range within a different power and tilt
5. Conclusions
In this work was studied and collected the network data in a particular area in Baghdad.
The analyses were practically carried out via a driving test and simulate the results theoretically via
ICS Telecom. The effect of tilt and power change was observed and their effects on the performance of
the 2G and 3G networks in terms of coverage and interference were investigated. It was noted that the
coverage area of the high-quality area increases with increasing power to 40w, and the tilt to -10.
It was also observed when calculating C/I, that the greater the antenna slope (equals to -10), the less
interfering between cells, is gained.
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International Journal of Computer Applications, (2010), 5(4), 26-32.
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space for 3GPP LTE". In 2009 IEEE 70th Vehicular Technology Conference Fall, (2009,
September),(pp. 1-5).
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networks,” IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking,vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 175-185, Feb 2015.
[4] F. Athley and M. N. Johansson, “Impact of electrical and mechanical antenna tilt on lte downlink
system performance,” in 2010 IEEE 71stVehicular Technology Conference, May 2010, pp. 1-5.
[5] V. Buenestado, M. Toril, S. Luna-Ramrez, J. M. Ruiz-Avils, and A. Mendo, “Self-tuning of remote

electrical tilts based on call traces for coverage and capacity optimization in lte,” IEEE Transactions
onVehicular Technology, vol. 66, no. 5, pp. 4315-4326, May 2017.
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Impacts of Base Station Antenna Height, Tilt and Transmitter Power on Network Coverage.
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[12] P. Missud, "ICS Telecom Reference Manual," ATDI, Paris, 2013.
15

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IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering

PAPER • OPEN ACCESS

Performance Evaluation of 2G and 3G Networks in the City of Baghdad

View the article online for updates and enhancements.

This content was downloaded from IP address 113.190.233.221 on 06/04/2021 at 07:44

Performance Evaluation of 2G and 3G Networks in the City

Dina Jamal Jabbar¹, Dr.Aseel H. Al-Nakkash¹ and Shatha Kadhim Al_hummadi²

¹Department of Computer Engineering Techniques, Electrical Engineering Technical College,

² Ministry of Science and Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.

Keywords— ICS Telecom, Tilt, 2G, 3G.

2.2. Network Planning

Cm=0 dB for suburban areas

Cm=3 dB for urban areas

2.3. Network Performance

2.4. Parameters that Affect the Performance

3. Materials and methods

4. Results and Discussion

4.1. Network performance analysis results and discussion:

4.1.1. Simulation and analyses:

Fig(2) ICS Telecom program interface

Fig(3) coverage area(2g)

Fig(4) coverage area(3G)

.Fig(5) Simulation of coverage area for 2G network ( power=20w, Tilt=-10)

Coverage area in ICS(3G)

(-51_-60)dBm (-61_-70)dBm (-71_-80)dBm (-81_-90)dBm (<-91)dBm

Fig(6) Simulation of coverage area for 3G network ( power=20w, Tilt=-10)

4.1.2. Drive test results:

Fig(9) coverage area in Google earth (2G)

Fig(10) coverage area in Google earth (3G).

Mean absolute error

Fig(12) C/I (2G)

Fig(13) C/I (3G)

Fig(14) Comparison C/I between 2G and 3G cells

4.2. Parameters Effect on Network Performance:

Network performance is affected by many parameters.Therefore; network engineering must

[1] M. R. Bhalla and A. V. Bhalla, "Generations of mobile wireless technology: A survey".

[2] O. N. Yilmaz, S. Hamalainen, and J. Hamalainen, "Analysis of antenna parameter optimization

[5] V. Buenestado, M. Toril, S. Luna-Ramrez, J. M. Ruiz-Avils, and A. Mendo, “Self-tuning of remote

[12] P. Missud, "ICS Telecom Reference Manual," ATDI, Paris, 2013.

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